This site has an ongoing topic of my Dads' 8th Army Air Corps service during WW2. There is duplication of some photos and statements. I condensed these posts from another Blog I write to contain everything in one space. The existance of this Blog has brought forth the reuniting of old comrades. This is a Tribute to all those who have sacrificed for our country.

My BMW Motorcycle Blog

1st. LT. J. William Smith

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Pilot Mel Westbrook's final Navigation Log , performed by Navigator 2ND. Lt. J. W. Smith, from their final flight from Goose Bay Labrador to Bradley Field, U.S.A. May 22ND. 1945

Lt. Col. Mel Westbrook, 466th Bomb Group, Crew #553Received a comment this morning on my site from the son of Pilot Mel Westbrook. My Father flew as Navigator with Westbrook on ATC Missions to Sweden during WW2. Seems that Westbrook is still alive and kicking. I'm hoping that the son will contact me with a phone # or e-mail address so our fathers can reunite, by phone at least......He commented as "anonymous" so I have no way to contact him....... He said there is a B-24 reunion in September somewhere...I wish I could get my Dad there....another link to related information is at http://555navigator.blogspot.com/Over the past couple of years I have done searches for Pilot Melvin Westbrook but have had no luck.....hopefully I'll receive a reply from Westbrook's son................

The above photo was taken by my Father in Sweden in April 1945 During their clandestine A.T.C. supply missions.

Posted by BMW HACKER at 12:10 PM2 comments:Anonymous said...Well, I'm not Mel Westbrook's son, but I did Post. I'm his daughter :). Apple of his eye,,, my email is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. In fact, the tail gunner of this crew, Richard Chapdelaine's secretary called me today from NY to let me know you were looking for my contact info. My dad - Mel, would love to chat with your dad. Please email me asap and let's see what we can do. The reunion is in Chicago and it's all B24 crews.Look forward to hearing from you,Anne Westbrook (Walls)July 8, 2009 4:27 PM BMW HACKER said...Well, Mel Westbrooks' "son" ended up being his daughter. An acquaintance of hers in N.Y. saw on my blog that I was attempting to contact her and she sent me a note.....Tonight I talked with Pilot Lt.Mel Westbrook, aged 86, and tomorrow he will visit with his old Navigator, 2ND. Lt. J. W. Smith (Dad, aged 93)) after 64 years. They last saw each other in May 1945 after their last B-24 flight together, from England to Bradley Field U.S.A. This is the 2ND. WW2 crew member of Dads' I've found in the past year via this web site.July 9, 2009 12:05 AM Post a Comment